Unbeknownst to our tech savvy agents of today is the time when buyer’s agents actually met with the seller & seller’s agent face to face to present an offer.  Yes, it’s true, this did happen.  And, I’d be remiss if I failed to mention the preparation that took place prior to a formal presentation.  A properly written offer was organized in such a way that when executed it would efficiently and effectively project an enthusiastic persuasiveness throughout the presentation.   Communication skills were a must.  At least then you knew where you stood because the seller and the listing agent had to respond, rather than hide behind a lost email, text and fax or voice mail.

Listening to agents at a recent business meeting took me on a journey to the past. I’m curious. What if as a company Seven Gables took a stand on behalf of every seller whose listing it represented, and required that any agent with a written offer had to present it in person - live and passionately, skillfully communicating with body language and convincing verbiage?  It would of course, require a skill set that so many are unfamiliar with today; you know, communication other than text, email or fax.  Everyone communicates, but few connect.  Ever heard the term, “Sometimes it’s difficult in email to express the emotion?”  Seems to me there is a reason we all learned to talk before we learned to write. Plain and simple, it’s more effective, persuasive and efficient.  A means to differentiate.

Any message we convey must contain a piece of us.  You can’t merely convey information. And you can’t merely be a messenger. Unless of course what you’re striving for is neither credibility nor a connection.  Let’s face it, everyone communicates. But how many of us truly strive to connect?

I never even knew that The American Pie Council was in existence, so for the record, the APC is dedicated to “spreading the word about the benefits of pie for the body and soul, urging Americans to perform ‘random acts of pieness’ in celebration.” To some, this organization may very well be the antithesis of what is being promoted by the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition, but to others it’s a great way to consider warming up this recent January cold snap.

Now besides being a big fan of SusieCakes located in Newport Beach, I happen to have an affinity towards baking. So their current promotion- a contest targeting Orange County bakers, in conjunction with National Pie Day drew my immediate attention.

From now through January 21st, purchase an uncooked pie crust from any SusieCakes location for $5. Then simply bake a pie using a SusieCakes crust and drop off your entry at a store on Saturday, January 21, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

According to company representatives, “Susie herself will taste each pie and announce a winner at each SusieCakes location on Monday, January 23rd. The winners will then be bestowed the honor of “Best Homemade Pie” and receive a gift card for two nine-inch pies.”

Feel like entering? Well, let’s just see how you fare against my sour cream lemon pie.

The local SusieCakes bakery is located at 2043 Westcliff Drive, Newport Beach (near Kean Coffee). For more information, visit their web site at susiecakes.com or call 949.646.6881.

What will be the only west-coast showing of the Smithsonian Institution’s Traveling Exhibit “The White House Garden,” is a beautiful and educational presentation that tells the story of the oldest continuously landscaped gardens in the United States. Featuring stunning images and text that focus on the 18 acres of formal gardens, secluded natural retreats and expansive parkland surrounding the White House, the exhibit also references the many presidential families who have resided there through the years. On display now until February 26th, the show is a distinguished opportunity for Orange County, particularly since the gardens are a longstanding source of beauty, tradition and national pride for Americans everywhere.

In 1927, San Clemente founder Ole Hanson built Casa Romantica atop a bluff that overlooks the historic San Clemente Pier. A living demonstration of California history, culture and ecology, and a showplace for the entire Southern California region, the “Casa” as it is sometimes called is a seven bedroom, seven-bath Spanish Colonial Revival Estate designed by Carl Lindbom, who also designed La Casa Pacifica (the former Western White House, which was occupied by President Nixon while away from the official residential White House). It was listed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 1991.

Casa Romantica provides a year-round array of exciting and enriching cultural and educational programs for all ages, special events for the community and visitors to south Orange County, plus tours of the historic estate and its award-winning gardens. It is located at 415 Avenida Granada in San Clemente and is open Tuesday through Friday from 11:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. There is a nominal entrance fee of $5 for non-members.  Children 12 and under enjoy free admission.

For more information, please visit casaromantica.org or call 949.498.2139.

While it’s always best to approach our business with cautious optimism, I believe that the consistency we have experienced in nearly every market we serve for more than 12 months gives us great hope for the year ahead.

In the following video, I have provided you with details about the trends affecting our markets, what that means to you and what we hope to experience during the New Year.

As always, at Seven Gables Real Estate we are here to serve as a resource for you because “What’s Important to You is Important to Us!”

Pride of ownership certainly prevails in the ‘60s-era neighborhood where I grew up in the unincorporated section of town known as North Tustin. And like so many others in this charming hamlet, it remains virtually unchanged. If you’ve ever wondered why Tustin’s popularity is stronger than ever, just ask the natives and newcomers and the many second and third generation families living here. Many will tell you it’s because of its tight-knit small town appeal. Others might say it is suburbia at its best. And then many will comment about the outstanding recreational opportunities available right at your back door.

Bordering the cities of Orange, Santa Ana and Irvine, Tustin and North Tustin bring together a wonderful blend of old, new and well-established. It’s a place where custom and traditional architecture meets modern, vintage and Mediterranean. Where zero lot lines are nearly unheard of and quarter acre ones are commonplace. It’s also a place where award-winning schools raise the bar in education and shopping, golf and tennis draw enthusiasts from all over Southern California.

Founded in 1868 by Philadelphia farmer and entrepreneur Columbus Tustin, the predominantly farming community was slow to develop in comparison to neighboring towns, taking nearly 60 years before its population would reach 500. Though it was incorporated in 1927, the city’s growth didn’t hit its stride until the 1950s with the arrival of freeways and quality schools. Then with a boom in post-war industries, the subsequent population surge prompted the development of homes where those orange groves once grew in abundance. Today, according to the 2010 census, Tustin’s population exceeds 75,000.

If you’re interested in learning more about the city’s history, why not check out celebrated Old Towne where visitors can sign up for a historic walking tour that includes a stop at the local museum. Make an afternoon of it and browse a variety of specialty shops, or dine at any number of popular eateries such as Rutabegorz – located (since 1978) in a landmark building listed on the Register of National Historic Places and built by the son of Columbus Tustin in 1914. There’s also Tustin Marketplace and The District – two of Tustin’s best shopping, dining and entertainment destinations right across town, where you’ll find something fun to do or experience 365 days a year.

To find out more about the special community of Tustin and upcoming events, please visit: www.tustinca.org.

Recognizing that food banks across the county, the state and the nation for that matter are now facing record shortages, Seven Gables and its associates decided this year to reach out to the primary markets it serves and ask others in the community to support its efforts. Our collection started on November 11^th and runs through December 12^th. To date, there’s been a steady delivery of canned goods and other non-perishable food items to our offices in Anaheim Hills and Tustin. While the efforts thus far have been great, the need is even greater. So we’re hopeful that these next two weeks will bring a windfall of donations for the benefit of so many.

As a way of showing our appreciation for any and all food donations, Seven Gables is having a weekly drawing for a $50.00 Trader Joe’s Gift Card.

Winners over the past two weeks include OC residents Terry McCracken and Helga O’Brien. There are still two more drawings scheduled for this Friday, December 2^nd and next Friday, December 9^th, so if you are interested in entering to win a Trader Joe’s Gift Card, please stop by either of our offices with any canned or other non-perishable food donation and simply fill out an entry form.

Seven Gables’ North Orange County office is located at 5481 E. Santa Ana Canyon Road in Anaheim Hills, and our Central County location is at 12651 Newport Avenue in the city of Tustin.

For additional information please call: 714.974.7000 or 714.731.3777.

As a partner of Orangewood Children’s Foundation, the entire Seven Gables organization is so appreciative and honored by the nomination. Kash Master (our OCF Ambassador), Lisa Greubel and I were there to represent Seven Gables among the more than 1,100 other guests in attendance.

Television personality Mindy Stearns, who was the Master of Ceremonies for the elegant luncheon, entertained the audience for the duration of the two hour event with her charm and personality. Known for her comedic talents, especially her spot on animal impersonations, Stearns reprised her famous “cock-a-doodle-doo” for the audience – a talent for which she was discovered in 1996 by Oprah Winfrey. After the Animal and Environment Honorees were announced, she told the audience that she wanted to speak on behalf of those whose voices could not be heard, and then it was literally as if we were on Disney’s Jungle Cruise with elephants, monkeys and wild birds surrounding us. Her good natured fun truly lent itself to all the “goodwill” that was being recognized that day.

As most of you know, Orangewood Children’s Foundation has become an important extension of the Seven Gables family. What we do every month for the benefit of the current and emancipated youth in OC brings forth a mixture of pride and humility for us; efforts that are small in scope, but big in the hearts and minds of Orangewood Children’s Foundation.

So to be recongnized for what we’re doing, which is impacting the lives of these special young adults (in two hours time just once a month) is both rewarding and gratifying.

Our next Orangewood event is scheduled for next Wednesday, April 27th starting at 9:30 a.m. We are looking for Easter Buffet food items and Hygiene supplies as well. If you would like to assist us in any way, please call Kash Master at 714.769.6125 or email him at kashm@sevengables.com.

According to company representatives, there is currently no other market in either the Central or Coastal regions of Orange County where one company dominates its nearest competition by such a wide margin.

“Seven Gables continues to gain strength and momentum through challenging times. How? By being innovative for the benefit of our clients. By striving to earn their trust every day. And by seeking to create excellence at every opportunity,” says President and COO, Michael Hickman.

“There is so much enjoyment and fulfillment to be had out of the opportunities we are given to represent our clients. Yet just as we must be here to provide them with the tools and knowledge that will give them every possible advantage in the marketplace, so too must we be here to provide an experience that is not only measured, but distinguished by service,” he adds.

For the past 35 years, the Seven Gables brand has been driven by a creative spirit and culture that is a standard bearer of the business. A creative spirit that has guided the company through challenging times, is its cornerstone of distinction, and exists to ensure that the company will continue to thrive in the future in every market condition. And remain innovative for the benefit of its clients for years to come.

With two offices representing Central and North Orange County, Seven Gables maintains a significant market share in nearly every community it represents including North Santa Ana, Orange and Villa Park.

Seven Gables also provides full service escrow, insurance and lending resources under one roof, and is affiliated with Leading Real Estate companies of the World® – - a global relocation network of 600 premier real estate firms with 5,000 offices and 150,000 sales associates in more than 30 countries around the world.

To experience for yourself, the Seven Gables difference, please call 800.955.7356.

Every aspect of sevengables.com according to Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^®, was reviewed to ensure exacting standards were met in six key areas, ranging from design and content to human interactivity to search engine optimization. The WQC was introduced in 2009 to recognize and encourage superior websites among Leading Real Estate Companies of the World’s 600 member firms and Seven Gables Real Estate is one of 111 applicants to earn the 2010 WQC designation.

“With over 90% of people using the Internet in their home search, it is essential for any successful real estate firm to have an engaging, informative and easy-to-use website,” notes Pam O’Connor, president/CEO of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^®.  “By earning the Website Quality Certification, Seven Gables Real Estate has demonstrated that it provides vital online resources to home buyers and sellers.”   

Aspiring to become a standard-bearer of the business from the moment its doors opened in 1976, Seven Gables Real Estate remains one of the last independently owned real estate companies in Orange County. Adding this honor to its list of other nationally recognized accolades, Seven Gables remains steadfast in its desire to create excellence at every opportunity.

And with two offices serving Central and North Orange County and on site resources including Lending, Escrow, Concierge and Insurance Services, Seven Gables continually strives to discover and develop new business strategies in order to improve the real estate experience for the benefit of those they represent time and time again.

To find out more about the many properties we represent, the career opportunities we uniquely provide or to speak to a qualified sales associate, please call: 800.955.7356 or visit our website at: www.sevengables.com.

Here’s the introduction:
“Sellers in 2010 succumbed to financial realities with many selling their home out of necessity. During the tail-end of the housing boom, long-time homeowners that refinanced their homes and new buyers who purchased near the top of the market were both in unsustainable positions when housing prices began to decline. The average seller in 2010 owned their home for about four years.”

And then, some icy facts:

• In 2005, the percentage of homes sold due to foreclosure, short sale or default was below one percent. 2010? 29 percent.
• A Fannie Mae survey showed that in 2009, 55 percent of respondents owned their own home. That number fell to 42 percent last year.
• Net cash to sellers was at a record low in 2010: $35,000, compared to $220,000 in 2005.
• Of total home sales in 2010, a staggering 40.9 percent were considered distressed.

I think, now more than ever, it’s essential that we as agents and brokers must have a clear-eyed understanding of just what these sellers are going through. Yes, they are under financial pressure, but they are also under a great deal of emotional stress. These are our friends, family, neighbors and colleagues. No one is immune. We hear it in their voices. See it in their eyes. These are hard-working people who played by the rules, aspired to their slice of the American Dream and got caught up in a nightmare.

So to guide these shell-shocked sellers through a difficult process, I refer you to the three skills I alluded to previously: Education, Knowledge and Communication. We must continue to school ourselves on the facts of the marketplace as they pertain to distressed sales. Apply that information to the listings we may be working with and then clearly, concisely and compassionately communicate with our clients.

And we need to tell them that there is hope. Federal programs such as HAFA can make the process a little smoother and help with relocation expenses. Also, the fact is that after the sale, families will be leasing a home until such time they can purchase again. And in many cases, the home they rent will be larger, nicer and possibly in a better neighborhood than the one they previously owned.

Here’s the key:  We as qualified real estate advisors must assure our clients that home ownership is still a sound financial and emotional investment. Because when the dust clears on this unique and historic set of circumstances, the market will stabilize and families will once again be able to safely and confidently purchase a piece of Orange County to call their own.

And you’ll be the partner they turn to in trust, helping them to achieve that again.